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Socialism

Socialism

Past and Future

by Michael Harrington

Series: Labour and Society International

Differentiating between true democratic socialism and pseudo-socialism.

Michael Harrington was a powerful voice in the American Left and the revered leader of the Democratic Socialists of America. In this book, he examines socialist theory and practice throughout history to differentiate between true democratic socialism and the pseudo-socialism represented by the failed dictatorships in Eastern Europe. Harrington discusses thinkers as diverse as Marx and Keynes; analyses the paths taken by Soviet Russia, China, Western Europe and the Third World; and charts socialism's response to poverty, the environmental crisis and the technological revolution. Socialism: Past and Future is a testament to a major socialist theoretician of the twentieth century.

'Magnificent ... more than anything this book is about hope.' Los Angeles Times

'Harrington is a scholar of extraordinary diligence and depth.' J.K. Galbraith

'This must be among the very best books about socialism now available.' Labour Research

The late Michael Harrington was one of America's foremost political thinkers of the Left, the author of many books and the leader of the Democratic Socialists Party. He died in 1991.

1. Hypotheses
2. Socialisms
3. Authoritarian Collectivisms
4. The Realpolitik of Utopia
5. The End of Socialism?
6. The Third Creation of the World
7. Socialization Revisited
8. Market and Plan
9. Visionary Gradualism
Notes Index

Published by Pluto Press in Oct 1993
Paperback ISBN: 9780745307756

135mm x 215mm